Rugby Union star and hubby of Zara Phillips, Mike Tindall suffered a life threatening injury when he punctured both his lung and liver in the 2008 Six Nations opening game.

The England centre fell awkwardly onto the studded boot of Welsh national winger Mark Jones. He is very lucky to have survived the wound after spilling two pints of blood onto the pitch.

He told Sky Sports, "I didn't realise it at the time but I had a big tear in my liver...I'm just glad to be here to talk about it" but he is far from the only sports star to risk life and limb for the game.